Stem winding and setting watch



`(Nu Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet L C. T. HIGGI'NBOTHAM. STEM WINDING ANDSETTING WATCH.

N0.- 458,366. Patentad Aug. 25, 1891.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

C. T. HIGGINBOTHAM.

STEM WINDING AND SETTING WATCH.

No. 458,366. Patented Aug. 25,1891.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

C. T. HIGGINBOTHAM. STEM WINDING AND SETTING WATCH.

No. 458,366. Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

w: News Farms co.. morcyuma.. wasmnuron. n. c.

(No Model.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 4. C. T. HIGGINBOTHAM. STEM WINDING ANDSETTING WATCH.

No. 458,366. Patented Aug. 25, 1891.

(No Model.) heets--Sheetv 5.

C. T. HIGGINBGTHAM. STEM WINDING AND SETTING WATCH.

No. 458,366. PatentedfAug. 25,1891.

l wrlmmn UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE.

CHARLES T. HIGGINBOTIIAM, OF THOMAS'ION, CONNECTICUT.

STEM WINDING AND SETTING WATCH.

SPECIFICATION 'forming part of Letters Patent No. 458,366, dated August25, 1891.

Avplication tiletlApril l0, 1891. Serial No. 388,395. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLES T. HIGGIN- IBOTHAM, of Thomaston, in thecounty of Litchfield and State of Connecticut, have invented newImprovements in Stem-finding and Stem-Setting ratchesg and I do herebydeclare the following, when taken in connection with accompanyingdrawings and the letters of reference marked thereon, to be a full,clear, and exact description of the same, and which said drawingsconstitute part ot' this specilication, and represent, in-

Figure 1, a broken View, partly in elevation and partly in section, of awatch-movement constructed in accordance with my invention and shown inits inverted position with its intermediate gravity part or coupler inthe position which it will assume when the watch is inverted and beforethe stem has been manipulated. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing thecoupling of the operating-lever with the operating-cam by the saidgravity part consequent upon pushing in the stem when the parts are inthe positions seen in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar View showing therotated position of the operating-cam effected by the spring ot theoperating-lever upon theremoval ot pressure from the stem when the partsare in the positions shown by Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a similar view showingthe watchmovement in its upright position with its gravity partdisconnected from its operating lever, its operating-cam in its activeposition, and its stein drawn ont. Fig. 5 is a similar View showing theeffect of pushingin the stem when the parts are in the positions shownby the preceding figure, the positions of the parts in this figure beingtheir normal positions, except tor the operating-lever and the stem, thenormal positions of which are indicated by broken lines. Fig. G is abroken view in elevation of the opposite side of the lowermovement-plate with the yoke in position vfor setting the watch, theoperating-eam being shown in its active position by broken lines. Fig. 7is asimilar view showing the yoke in position for winding the watch, theoperating-cam being shown in its retired or normal position by brokenlines. Fig. S is a detached perspective view ot the gravity part orcoupler. Fig. is a similar view ot' the operating-lever. Fig. 10 is abroken view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of awatch-movement, showing another form of my improvement and representedin its inverted position with its gravity partl in the position which ittakes when the watch is inverted and before its stem has been pushed in.Fig. 11 is a similar View showing the rotation of the operating-cam andthe adjustment of the watch for setting consequent upon pushing in thestein when the parts are in the positions shown by the piecetlinggtiie.Fig. 12 is a similar View showing the watch turned to its uprightposition and with its stem pulled out to permit the gravity part tochange its position with respect to the operating-cam. Fig. 12 is asimilar view showing the adjustment of the parts consequent upon pushingin the stem when they are adjusted, as shown in the preceding figure.Fig. 13 is a similar view showing the positions of the parts which aresecured by pulling out the stem preparatory to setting the watch butwithout inverting the same. Fig. l-t is a broken view in elevation ofthe opposite side of the lower movement-plate, and showing the yoke inposition t'or setting' the watch. Fig. 15 is a similar view with theyoke in position for winding the watch. Fig. 1G isa sectional view onthe line :t a; of Fig. 12, Fig. 17 is a detached perspective View ot'the gravit-y part. Fig. 1S is a sectional view through theoperating-lever and gravity part on the line x .t ot Fig. 11. Fig. 19 isa broken view, partly in elevation and partlyin section,of a watch,showing another form of my improvement, and represented with its partsin their normal adjustment, which I assume to be the adjustment ot partsobtaining the greater part of the time. Fig. 20 is a sectional view onthe line 0c :r of Fig. 19, and showing the intermediate setting-wheelheld in its retired adjustment by the gravity part. Fig. 21 is a vien'generally corresponding to Fig. 1f), but showing the watch inverted withits stem pulled out to permit the gravity part to act in releasing theintermediate setting-wheel. Fig. 22 is a sectional viewon the line y 'yof Fig. 21, and showing how the said wheel drops down into mesh with theminute-wheel consequentupon placing the watchin a horizontal positionwith its face upward after the parts have been brought into theadjustment IOO shown by the preceding figure. Fig. 23 is a viewgenerally corresponding to Fig. 19, and showing the next position ot thewatch after Fig. 22, the watch being placed in its upright position tocause its weight or gravity part to resume its normal position and thusretire the intermediate setting-wheel, as clearly shown also by Fig. 20,and the normal adjustment of parts, as shown by Fig. 1),being secured bypushing in the stem to permit theintermediate winding-wheel to re-engagewith the ratchetwheel of the winding-train and the operatinglever tolock the gravity part in place. Fig. 2i is adetached perspective view ofthe gravity part employed in this construction. Fig. 25 is a brokenview, partly in elevation and partly in section, of another form whichmy improvement may assume, the parts being shown in their normal orwinding positions by full lines and in their setting positions by brokenlines. Fig. 26 is a viewJ partly in section and partly in elevation,showing the intermediate setting-wheel and the weight attached to itsstalt locked in their normallyretired positions. Fig. 27 is a similarbut ampliiied view showing the minute-wheels and the staff carrying thebowed lockingarms. Fig. 2S is a view showing the intermediatesetting-wheel and weight locked in the operative position ot the former.Fig. 29 is a broken view in elevation of another form of my improvementherein employing a weight to swing the yoke from the winding to thesetting' position of the same. Fig. 30 is a detached view in edgeelevation of the weight shown by the preceding ligure. Fig. 3l is abroken view in elevation showing still another form of my improvementherein relying solely upon the weight ot the intermediate steeringwheeland its staff to shift it in position. Fig. 32 is a sectional view onthe line :t of Fig. 3l, showing the watch in position for the Wheel tobe moved by gravity into its active position. Fig. is a similar viewshowing the wheel in that position.

My invention relates to an improvement in stem-winding and stem-settingwatches, the object being to provide for setting the hands withoutopening the case and to avoid the displacement et the hands by theaccidental shifting of either the winding or setting mechanism.

NVith these ends in view my invention consists in an'intermediate partlocated between the stem and the settin g mechanism of a watch andconstructed and arranged to respond to the action of gravity when thewatch is placed in a predetermined position, and thus effect a change inthe operative conditions within the watch with respect to the stem.

My invention further consists in certain details of construction andcombinations oil parts, as will be hereinafter described, and pointedout in the claims.

ln carrying out my invention the intermediate part constructed andarranged to respond to the action ot gravity, as described,

may take a variety et different forms and act in quite different ways.It may, for instance, consist of an intermediate wheel made heavy enoughto respond tothe action otl gravity when the watch is placed in certainpositions or the weight may be placed upon the staff ot' theintermediate wheel, or the weight having` a cam-face may be pivotcdwithin the watch and arranged to act upon the statt of the intermediatewheel, or the weight may have the term of a latch constructed toco-opcrate with a cam which operates on the staff .of the intermediatewheel, or it may have the form of a'coupler co-operating with a camacting upon the staff of the intermediate wheel, or the weight may havestill other forms and operate in still other ways7 and yet embrace myinvention, which consists, broadly,in a weight forming an intermediatepart between the stem and the setting-train ot a watch and constructedand arranged to respond to the action of gravity when the watch isplaced in a predetermined position, so as te change the operativeconditions within the watch with respect to the said stem.

I have shown in the accompanying drawings several diterent ways ot'carrying out my invention, the same being some of the ditferent specificforms above mentioned.

Figs. l to 9, inclusive, illustrate that vl'orm of my invention in whichthe weight consists of a coupler, which under certain conditionsconnects an operating-lever with a cam acting upon the arbor or statt o'the intermediate setting-wheel, the watch being shown in severaldifferent positions to clearly illustrate the positions ot the partsunder different circumstauces.

The winding and setting trains of the watch are of ordinary constructionand are therefore not fnlly shown, but only sufficiently to illustratethe application of my invention. In this case the weight consists of acoupler A, composed of a bar having oiic ol' its ends provided with twobeveled faces AA, which converge to a point and offset, as at A2, uponits inner face, the inner wall ot the said ol'l'- set being concaved, asat A, for engagement with a coupling-pin B, mounted in the tree end ofan operating-lever ll', hung at its opposite end upon a stud B2. Theother end of the coupler is pivotcd so as to swing freely upon a pin A4,mounted in an operating-cani C, hung upon a pin (y, but under sullicicntfriction so that it will not turn of its own weight. The inner end ofthe cam, which is of irregular shape, is provided with a rounded lingerC2, which engages with the adjacent end D of the staff of theintermediate settingwheel D', tho said wheel being' mounted (see Figs. Gand 7) in one end of a yoke E of ordinary construction in this class oi'watches.

An elongated slot D2, formed in the lower plate F ot the watch, isprovided to permit the wheel D to be moved toward and away from theminute-wheel G, into which it meshes 'for setting the hands ol' thewatch. The said IOO IOS

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wheel D is constantly in mesh with the main winding-wheel H, as is alsothe intermediate winding-wheel I, which is mounted in the op posite endof the yoke E from the intermediate setting-wheel D the wheel I beingnormally engaged, as will be hereinafter described, with theratchet-wheel I of the winding-train.

The operating-lever B, before mentioned, is provided about midway of itslength, and upon its outer face, with a finger B3, which enters thehollow winding-pinion J, which is geared into the main winding-wheel II,in position to be engaged by the longitudinallymovable and rotatablestem or arbor K. A spring L, arranged to engage with the inner edge ofthe said operating-lever, normally holds it in its outward position, inwhich it is shown by Figs. l and 4t of the drawings. A lighter spring Lengages with that end of the yoke E carrying the intermediatewindingwheel I, and exerts a constant effort to throw the said wheelinto engagement with the ratchet-wheel I.

The normal condition of parts in the watch just above described willobtain when the wheel I is engaged with the ratchet-wheel I and thewheel D is disengaged from the minute-wheel G. In order to reverse theseconnections and place the watch in adjustment for setting, it must beheld in an inverted position, with its stem directly downward, as shownby Figs. I, 2, and 3 of the drawings. By placing the watchin thisposition the coupler A, which swings freely on its pivot A4, willrespond to the action of gravity and assume the position in which it isshown by Fig. l of the drawings. The stem J of the watch is now pushedinward, carrying the operating-lever B with it, and causing thecoupling-pin B thereof to be engaged with one of the bevelfaces A uponthe adjacent end of the coupler, whereby the same is pushed one side topermit the pin to pass the offset A2 of the coupler, which will thenswing into position for receiving the said pin in its concaved face A3,as shown by Fig. 2 of the drawings. rlhe cam C and the operating-lever Bhaving now been coupled together by the coupler A, pressure upon thestem K is removed, and the spring L, which has been placed under tensionby the inward movement of the stem, will operate to restore theoperating-lever to its normal position, and in so doing rotate the cam Con its pin C', whereby the staff D of' the intermediate setting-wheel Dwill be caused to ride up the inclined inner face of the finger C2 ofthe said cam and forced into the inner end of the slot D2, in whichposition it is locked bythe said finger of the cam, as shown by Figs. 3andec of the drawings. This movement of the arbor D and the wheel Dbrings the latter into mesh with the minutewheel G, and thusplaces thewatch in adjustment for setting, the described movement of the wheel Dhaving turned the yoke E on its center against the tension of the springL', and caused a corresponding movement of the intermediatewinding-wheel I away from t-he ratchet-wheel I.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings I have shown the watch turned upside down; butthis is unnecessary, as the watch may be held in any position whateverjust as soon as the operating-lever has been coupled with the cam bymeans of the coupler, which is not brought into position for operationexcept when the watch is turned with its stem directly downward.

I would call attention to the factl that preparatory to placing thewatch in adjustment for setting it is absolutely necessary that it beheld in an inverted position in order to cause the coupler to be swungby gravityinto position to engage with the coupling-pin B, carried bythe operating-lever. Just as soon, however, as that has been effected,the watch may be heldin any lposition while it is being set. On theother hand, the watch may be adjusted for winding when heldin anyposition. For convenience of illustration, however, I have chosen toillustrate the readjustment of the watch with the samein its ordinaryposition or with the stem upward,as shown byFigs. 4t and of thedrawings. It will be observed that, as shown by Fig. et of the drawings,the watch is in its setting adjustment. If now the stem be pushedinward, the operating-lever B will engage with the curved face presentedto it by the cam C, whereby the said cam will be caused to rotate on itspin Cand whereby its finger C2 is disengaged from the adjacent end ofthe staff or arbor D of the intermediate setting-wheel D', permittingthe yoke-spring L to act in swinging the yoke into its normal position,in which the said staff D is carried into the outer end of the slot D'rland the wheel D disengaged from the minute-wheel G and the wheel Ire-engaged with the wheel I, as shown by Figs. l, 2, and 7 of thedrawings. The coupler A at this time responds again to the action ofgravity and drops inward, but wit-hout any operative effect.

It will be apparent from the foregoing deseription that a watch providedwith my invention when constructed as shown by Figs. l to 9 of thedrawings can onlybe put in adjustment for setting by first inverting itin position and then pushing its stem inward and withdrawing it, butthat the watch can be set for winding inany of its positions. The dangerof displacing the hands by the accidental shifting of the settingmechanism is therefore in this watch reduced to almost nothing, for itis impossible to conceive that the watch could be accidentally broughtinto an inverted position and have its stem thrust inward and thenwithdrawn, and in no other way can the setting-train be brought intoposition for operation.

Figs. l0 to IS of the drawings show an embodiment of my invention inwhich the weight has the form of a latch M, hung so as to swing freelyon a pin M', carried by the free end of ITO IIS

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the longitudinally-bowed operating-lever N, pivoted at its opposite endby a pin N to the lower plate F of the movement, the said lever beingprovided with a stem or finger N2, entering the main winding-pinion .Iin position to be engaged by the longitudinally movable and rotatablestem K, the said pinion and stem being of ordinary construction. Thelatch H is provided upon its inner edge with an offsetting portioncomprising a finger M2 and a banking-face M2, the inner edge of thelatch being also shaped, as at M4, to tit the outer edge ot' theoperating-cam O, which is hung upon a pivot O', located in the saidplate F, and the inner edge of the said cam being cut away to receivethe adjacent end D of the staff of the intermediate settingwheel D',which is engaged when the watch is adjusted for winding with theminutewheel G. The said staff D plays in a slot D2, formed in the plateF, and is carried by one end of the yoke E, as shown by Figs. 14 and 15of the drawings. The opposite endof the said yoke carries the arbor I2oi' the intermediate winding-wheel I, which is engaged when the watch isadjusted for Winding with the ratchet-wheel I', an elongated slot D3being formed in the plate F for the arbor I2 to play in. A spring L2,engaging with the inner edge of the operating-lever, exerts a constanteitort to throw the same to the position in which it is shown by Figs.10, 12, and 13 of the drawings, while a spring L3 (see Fig. 14) engageswith the yoke and exerts a constant effort to engage the intermediatewindingwheel I with the ratchet-wheel I.

The winding and setting trains and the yoke of this watch are ofordinary construetion.

When it is desired to place a watch constructed as shown in Figs. 10 to1S' of the drawings in adjustment for setting the hands, it is inverted,as shown by Fig. 10 of the drawings, and its stem pulled outward. Ifpreferred, this may be done before inverting the watch, as shown by Fig.13, whereby its latch is permitted to assume under the action of gravitythe position in which it is shown in the said figure, the engagement ofits banking-face M3 with the inner edge of the operatinglever Mpreventing it from falling too far. The iinger M2 of the latch is thusbrought into range with the outer edge of the cam at a point thereoninside of the pivot O', so that when the stem is pushed inward, as shownby Fig. 11 of lthe drawings, the latch which moves inward with it willoperate through its tinger M2 to turn the cam O on its axis 0 and thusforce the intermediate setting-wheel D into engagement withtheminnte-wheel G, the yoke E being swung on its center at the sametime, so as to disengage its intermediate winding-wheel I from theratchet-wheel I. The watch may now be set either in this position or inany other.

To readjust the watch for winding, it is placed in its ordinary positionwith its stem upward and the stem pulled out, permitting the spring L2to lift the operating-lever N and also the latch M, which is permittedto drop, so that its finger M2 will be carried on the outside of the pinO of the cam O and adjacent to the outer edge of the cam, as shown bydotted lines, Fig. 12. IVhen now the stem is thrust in again, the saidfinger M2 engages with the outer edge of the cam and turns the same onits pivot O', (see Fig. 19%) whereby it releases the statt D of theintermediate setting-wheel D', so that the spring L3 may at once operateto swing the yoke E, and thus engage the wheel I with the ratchet-wheelI. This watch, it will be seen, can only be adjusted for setting afterit has been inverted and its stem drawn out and then 'forced in again,and after having been adjusted for setting it can only be readjusted forwinding by placing it in an upright position and first drawing out thestem and then pushing the same in again. In this watch also the chanceof displacing the hands by accidentally shifting the setting mechanismis made so remote as to be practically disposed of altogether.

In the construction shown by Figs. 15J to 24- of the drawings thefunction of the weight I is to hold the intermediate setting-wheel Dnormally out of engagement with the minutewheel G, the weight beingpivotally hung on the center Il of the main winding-wheel Il andprovided with an inclined and slightlycurved groove I, which is 'formedin its inner face in position to receive the staff D of the wheel D.

This watch is provided with an operatinglever R, hung at one end upon apin R and provided at its other end with a pin R2, which is engaged byone end of a spring S, which also engages under certain conditions, aswill be hereinafter described, with the arbor I2 of the intermediatesetting-wheel I. A spring T, located on the opposite side oi themovement-plate F, is arranged to hold the said wheel I in its normalposition of engagement with the ratchet-wheel I. The saidoperating-lever R is provided with a linger R2, entering the centralopening of the main winding-pinion J in position to be engaged Yby theStem K, which, with the said intermediate winding-wheel and the mainwheel ll, are of ordinary construction.

In any of the ordinary positions which a watch constructed as shown inFigs. 19 to 24 would assume the weight l? will maintain the position inwhich it is shown by Figs. 1l), 20, and 23 of the drawings and keep theintermediate setting-wheel in its retired or cutout position. To set thewatch, it is inverted and its stem pulled out, as shown byv Fig. 21 ofthe drawings, whereupon the weight l? will respond to the action ofgravity and drop away from the arbor D, so as to bring the outer anddeeper part of its groove P in alignment with the same. At the same timethe pulling out oi the stem permits the spring S to engage with thearbor I2 ol the interme TCO ITO

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diate Windingwheel I and move the said wheel outward through the lengthof the slot I3 in the plate F and against the tension of the spring T,which is thc weaker of the two, the wheel I thus being disengaged `lromthe ratchet-wheel I. If now the watch is placed in a horizontal positionwith its face upward, the pinion D will drop by gravity into engagementWiththe minute-wheel G, as shown by Fig. 22 of the drawings, after whichthe watch may be set.

To restore the watch into adjustment for winding, it has only to beplaced with its stem or pendant upward, for then the weight P will atonce respond to the action of gravity, and by engaging the inclinedbottom of its groove P with the end of the stati D force thesetting-wheel D out of engagement with the minute-wheel G and into itsretired position, as shown by Fig. 20. The stem is now pushed inwardagain, as shown by Fig. 19, whereby the spring S is disengaged from thearbor I2, leaving the spring T t'ree to re-engage the winding-wheel Iwith the ratchetwheel I. In this construction two olf the intermediateparts between the stem and the setting-train-namely, the weight P andthe intermediate setting-wheel D-are constructed to respond to theaction oi gravit-y, one when the watch is in one position and the otherwhen the watch is in another position. The construction last consideredis simple and reliable; but perhaps the chances of its accidentaloperation are not quite as remote as some ot' the constructionsheretofore considered.

In the construction shown by Figs. 25 to 28, inclusive, of the drawingsthe intermediate setting-wheel D is provided with a longstaft I),arranged to have longitudinal movement in the two plates of thewatch-movement, and

provided with a cylindrical weight U', having its upper end furnishedwith an annular groove Uand its lowerend provided with abevel U2. Thesaid wheel D is locked in its respective positions by means of twolongitudinallybowed locking-arms V and V wedge-shaped in cross sectionand secured at dil-'ferent points on the length of a staii V2, whichalso carries an operating-lever V3, provided with a finger V4, whichenters the main windingpinion J in position for engagement with the stemK. rlhe outer end of the said lever V3 is engaged by the spring IV,which moves the said lever outward when the stem K is withdrawn andengages with the arbor I2 of the intermediate winding-wheel I and movesthe said wheel in the slot I3 and disengages it from the ratchet-wheel,which is not shown in these figures of the drawings. A lighter spring IVis provided for holding the intermediate winding-wheel in normalengagement with the ratchet-wheel when the stem K is pressed inward, asshown by Fig. 25 of the drawings. Normally the bowed arm V engages withthe bevel U2, formed at the lower end of the weightdl, as shown by fulllines in Fig. 2li of the drawings,and holds the said weight and thewheel D in their retired positions.

\Vhen it is desired to adjust the watch for Setting, it is placed in ahorizont-ul position with its l'ace downward and the stem pulledoutward. This will release the weight U, which will fall and carry thewheel D with it and inte engagement with the minute-wheel G, as shown bybroken lines in Fig. 27 of the drawings. 'lhis will take place while thearm V is moving toward the weight and the arm V moving away from thesame and before they reach the positions in which they are shown by fulllilies in Fig. 2S of the drawings, the arm V in that ligure co-operatingwith the weight to hold the wheel D in engagementwiththe minute-wheel G.At the same time the spring' XV will litt the outer end of the arm V3into engagement with the arbor I2 of the intermediate winding-wheel Iand disconnects the same from the ratchet-wheel.

vTo readjust the watchior winding, its stem is thrust in, whereby thearm V will be cleared from the upper end ot` the weight and the arm Vengaged with the bevel U2, formed at the lower end thereof, the weightbeing i'orced into its retired position by the beveled edge ot the armV, as shown by full lines in Fig. 26 of lthe drawings. The purpose ofthe annular groove formedin the upper end of the weight U is yet to beexplained. It provides for locking the weight in its retired position incase thestem should be withdrawn while the watch is in any otherposition than horizontal, with its face down, for whenever the stem ispulled out without a simultaneous movement of the weight by the actionof gravit)v the arm V is cut into the said groove.

In the construct-ion shown by Figs. 20 and 30 ofthe drawings the weightX is hung near one of its ends upon a stud X an d constructed with aninclined slot X2, which receives one end of the staff I2 of theintermediate windin `g-wheel I, the said statt also passing through ashort slot I2, formed in the lower movementplate and located in a circleconcentric with the center of the yoke. When a watch thus constructed isinverted, the weight in responding to the action et gravity and :Fallingwill overcome the tension of the spring employed for holding the yokenormally in position for the engagementof the intermediate winding-wheelI, carried by it,with the ratchetwheel and temporarily swing the yoke toreverse its position and engage its intermediate setting-wheel D withthe minute-wheel G, the inclined walls of the slot X2 operating upon thestud l2 to swing the yoke.

In the construction shown by Figs. 3l, 32, and 33 of the drawings theweight of the wheel D is alone relied upon to move it into its operativeposition when the watch has been properly placed for such action. Thisconstruct-ion does not require a longitudinallymovable stem, to which,therefore, myinvention is not limited. The shifting ot` the wheel IOOIIO

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does, however, change the operative conditions Within the watch withrespect to the stem thereof. It will thus be seen that by means of aweighted part, whether the same be the intermediate setting-wheeler aweight acting directly upon the same, or a weight acting upon a camdirectly engaging with the staff of the said wheel, or a weight nsed asa coupler, I am enabled, by taking advantage of the action of gravity,to change the operative conditions within the watch with respect to thestem thereof by simply placing the watch in one or more predeterminedpositions, and that by selecting the positions and properly adapting mymechanism thereto I am enabled to reduce the chance of the accidentalshifting` of the hands to the minimum. At the same time my device is ofcomparatively simple construction and reliable operation, and isapplicable to stem-winding and stemsetting watches as now constructed. Iwould therefore have it understood that I do not limit myself to theexact construction herein shown and described, but hold myself atliberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within thespirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Iletters Patent, is-

l. In a stem winding and stein setting watch, the combination, with arotatable stem, of winding and setting mechanism and an in termediatepart locatedbetween the said stem and the setting` mechanism, the saidpart being constructed and arranged to respond to the action of gravitywhen the watch is placed in a predetermined position and thus effect achange in the operative conditions within the watch with respect to thestem, substantially as described.

2. In a stem-winding and. stem setting watch, the combination, with arotatable stem, of winding and setting trains and intermediate parts,including a wheel movable toward and away from the setting-train and aweight constructed and arranged to respond to the action of gravity whenthe watch is placed in a predetermined position and thus change theoperative conditions within the watch with respect to the stem,substantially as described.

In a stem -winding and stem -setting watch, the combination, with arotatable stem, of awinding and a setting train and intermediate partslocated between the stem and setting-train, and including a wheelmovable toward and away from the'train` a cam to move the pinion in onedirection, means for moving it in the opposite direction, and a weightconstructed and arranged to respond to the action of gravity when thewatch is placed in a predetermined position and to co-operate with thesaid cam in changing the ceases operative conditions within the watchlwith respect tothe stem, substantially as described.

Li. In a stem -winding and stem setting Watch, the combination, with arotatable and longitudinally-movablc stem, of a winding tra-in and asetting-train, an intermediate setting-wheel movable toward and awayfrom the setting-train, a cam engaging with the staff of said wheel, anoperating-lever adapted to be moved in one direction by the stein, aspring for moving the said-lever in the opposite direction, and apivoted weight constructed and arranged to respond to the action ofgravity when the watch is placed in a predetermined position, andvirtually forming a connection between the operating-lever and the saidcam, substantially as set forth.

5. In a stem -winding and stem-setting watch, the combination, with arotatable and longitudinally-movable stem, of a windingtrain and asetting-train, an intermdiate setting-wheel adapted to be moved towardand away from the setting-train, a cam to engage with the staif of thesaid wheel, an operatinglever adapted to be moved in one direction bythe stem, a spring for moving the said lever in the opposite direction,and a coupler pivotallyattached tothe said cam and adapted to engagewith a pin carried by the said lever when the watch is placed in apredetermined position, substantially as set forth, and whereby the saidcam and lever are coupled together.

(3. In a stem-winding and stem setting watch, the combination, with arotatable and longitudinally-inovable stem, of a windingtrain and asetting-train, a yoke carrying an intermediate setting-wheel at one endandan intermediate winding-wheel at the other end, a cam engaging withthe staff ol' the said setting-wheel, an operating-lever adapted to bemoved in one direction by the said stem, a spring for moving the leverin the opposite direction, a spring for normally holding the yoke, withits winding-wheel, in engagement with the winding-train, and a couplerpivotally attached to the cam and adapted to be engaged with a pinlocated in the operatinglever when the watch has been placed in aninverted position with its stem directly downward, substantially asdescribed.

7. In a stem-winding and stem setting watch, a coupler having one of itsends provided with two converging beveled faces and with an offset theinner edge of which is concaved, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.-

CIIAS. T. IIIGGINBOTIIAM.

Witnesses:

FRED C. EARLE, LILLIAN D. KELsEY.

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